Nominations sought for 2013 Farm Family of the Year

PALMER — The Division of Agriculture is inviting the public to submit nominations for the 14th Annual Farm Family of the Year award that will be presented during the Alaska State Fair in August.

The Alaska State Fair established the award in 2000 to honor an Alaska farming family that epitomizes the spirit of the industry and to show appreciation for all the hardworking Alaskans committed to agriculture and aquaculture in the state.

The 2012 award recipient was the Martin Family, which has owned and operated the Diamond M Ranch on the Kenai Peninsula since 1975.

Nominations are due on June 28. The Farm Family selection committee will select a family using the following criteria:

Overall farm family image, farming history, and unique or special production.

Nominations will be judged by a selection committee comprised of representatives from the USDA Farm Services Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service; the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Natural Resources & Agricultural Sciences and Cooperative Extension Service; the Alaska State Fair; and the Division of Agriculture.

Nominations should offer details about the family and how the family members fulfill the criteria. The nomination should be mailed to: